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The Use of Computers Instead of Drawings in Building Design
Abstract
Reports on research at Carnegie-Mellon University. (Author/MLF)
... The introduction of computer-aided design (CAD) in the 1970s offered digital equivalents to manual drafting. CAD systems allowed for greater precision and the ability to easily modify drawings, thus improving productivity and reducing errors [2,3]. ...
In 1994, the first European Conference on Product and Process Modelling took place in Dresden, Germany. The entire field of construction information technology research has enthusiastically embraced building information modeling (BIM) as a method for creating an ever more detailed and ever more complex model of the product, which is produced through an increasingly complex process. During this successful evolution, some of the fundamental principles of design, design collaboration, and design representation have been sidelined and may not have been sufficiently addressed by the standards and even less so by the software. The symptoms of this are coordination and productivity problems that persist in the construction industry as well as an increasing amount of planning, organizational, and legal paperwork that is needed to support BIM-based processes. This paper analyzes the gap between foundational theory and practice, and it argues that BIM-related research and development should find a better balance between product and process modeling, semantics and pragmatics, modeling and informing, form and function and behavior, as well as computer-integrated construction and productivity. The latter element in the listed pairs is the one that, if better addressed, would lead to even more useful tools and better building.
... Its use enables the creation of precise virtual models, which contain the exact geometry and relevant data to support the construction, manufacturing and supply necessary to carry out construction. Eastman [4] mentions that deadlines and costs can be reduced with its use, as a project is modeled with greater ease and visibility, consequently improving execution in the construction phase. Most structural projects are designed in 2D CAD format, but the calculations are carried out using 3D models, with no connection between the calculation and the two-dimensional drawing. ...
With the recent advancement of technology and computational empowerment, processes that were executed manually have the potential to be automated. In Civil Engineering, this is being seen through the implementation of technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM), Generative Design, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. The objective of this work is to develop a computational system aiming to optimize the development of architectural and structural projects, implementing technologies such as artificial intelligence and generative design to automate and systematize processes inherent to the project pre-dimensioning phase when designing a building. Initially, the user interacts with an AI-based chatbot interface which allows the definition of a buildings main characteristics, such as number of stories, apartments per story and minimum areas. The system has access to a database that contains different architectural BIM models and will filter them in order to provide the best option according to the user specifications. The selected model is processed by a Dynamo script in Autodesk Revit that automatically creates and allocates structural elements, e.g. beams, columns, slabs, and foundation. The script considers the intersection between walls and building corners, also positioning columns in wider spans avoiding doors and windows. This structure is converted into an analytical model, so it can be exported to Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis where another Dynamo script is executed, which contains loads determined by technical standards as the Brazilian ABNT NBR 6118:2023 for concrete design. This script analyzes bending moments, shear effects and axial forces of the structural elements and, through limiting parameters, sends messages to Autodesk Revit, stating if a structural element needs to be modified to attend applied loads. This process runs continuously until all elements are adequate. Using this technology, enterprises specialized in architectural and structural projects will save time, since allocating and pre-dimensioning structural elements are processes that are executed manually. Therefore, engineers are then able to focus on greater challenges involved in structural analysis and architects can simulate the dimensions of elements more accurately. There are still many processes in Autodesk Revit and Robot Structural Analysis that can be automated, and these will be further developed as a sequence of this study.
... Building Information Modeling (BIM) originated in the United States and has undergone nearly 50 years of development. In 1975, Dr. Chuck Eastman, known as the father of BIM, introduced the concept of the "Building Description System", which is considered the precursor to the modern BIM concept [9]. BIM is an innovative, integrative process and methodology used for analyzing building information, enhancing communication workflows, providing a collaborative platform, and supporting interoperability across various practice domains [10]. ...
With the rapid development of bridge construction, environmental concerns have become increasingly prominent. Low-carbon, green, and sustainable bridge engineering has emerged as an inevitable trend. A comprehensive carbon emission calculation system is key to achieving low-carbon bridges. This study proposes a rapid calculation and analysis system for bridge carbon emissions (Building Information Modeling–Life Cycle Assessment, BIM-LCA). This system, using the bridge information model as a carrier, calculates and manages data on material consumption, machinery, transportation, and energy throughout the bridge’s life cycle. It then calculates the carbon emissions for each stage. This system simplifies the complex and cumbersome data collection and analysis processes found in traditional methods while also making the carbon emissions across the full bridge life cycle more accessible and visible. Being applicable to all types of bridges, this system can provide insights and a basis for decision-making in the early design stages and during construction and operation to support carbon reduction. Ultimately, it promotes low-carbon, environmentally friendly, and sustainable bridge engineering development.
... Although this paper is specifically about Building Information Modelling (BIM), it is essentially about Architecture. Departing from Douglas Engelbart's (1962) Interactive Computing concept or Chuck Eastman's (1975) formulations on Building Description System (BDS), architecture and BIM have already history together. Even though BIM has been widely adopted in the fields of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction, potential design applications have been just partially explored, both in academia and in practice (Eastman 2014). ...
... Die Bemühungen zur Begriffsbestimmung von BIM begannen vor etwa 50 Jahren (Wernik 2021). Die Ursprünge von BIM gehen auf die 1970er-Jahre zurück, als Eastman an der Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, USA, wichtige Vorarbeiten zur Verknüpfung von grafischen und alphanumerischen Informationen leistete (Eastman 1975). BIM-Modelle verbinden dreidimensionale geometrische Daten mit nicht-geometrischen Bauteiledaten (BIM 3D). ...
Zusammenfassung
Dieser Beitrag stellt einen neuen Ansatz zur nachhaltigen Entwicklung von Softwarelösungen zur Digitalisierung von ausführenden Gewerken der Baubranche unter Berücksichtigung von ökonomischen Aspekten vor. Jene ausführenden Gewerke der Baubranche leiden unter dem hohen Innovationsdruck, insbesondere durch die Digitalisierung, welche zunehmend auch Building Information Modeling umfasst. Jedoch bleibt, trotz internationaler Erfolge bei der Effizienzsteigerung und Kostensenkung, die Anwendungsrate von Building Information Modeling in Deutschland mit nur 10 % der Bauprojekte gering. Dies liegt vor allem an der aufwendigen Implementierung, bestehenden Medienbrüchen auf technischer Seite und der fehlenden Integrationen ins Geschäftsmodell der ausführenden Gewerke. Um genau diese Herausforderung zu adressieren, zielt dieser Beitrag darauf ab, Softwarelösungen zu entwickeln, die die Anwendung von Building Information Modeling für ausführende Gewerke der Baubranche erleichtern. Dabei wird ein integrativer Ansatz verfolgt, der das Geschäftsmodell der ausführenden Gewerke der Baubranche und das Service-Ökosystem der entwickelten Softwarelösungen berücksichtigt. Diese Methode soll sicherstellen, dass die entwickelten Softwarelösungen nachhaltig und langfristig angewendet werden können.
The work is devoted to the state and prospects for the development of BIM technologies in Ukraine. A review and analysis of domestic and foreign publications on the problem under study was carried out. The regulatory framework has been analyzed. It is argued that many problems of introducing building information modeling in the construction industry of foreign countries and, especially, Ukraine still require solutions. Several groups of specific problems associated with the implementation of BIM technologies are considered: in terms of design; in terms of construction; in terms of operation. The main activities for the successful implementation of BIM technologies in Ukraine are highlighted: combining best practices for the formation of regulations for BIM processes, taking into account international experience; a single data exchange unit for CAD integration and state coordination of this exchange; revision of existing budget standards; additional development of new cost estimates that take into account new technologies, new materials, machines and mechanisms; a unified coding system for enlarged units and structural elements of buildings in CAD systems with reference to estimate standards; unified classification of resources and services for construction in accordance with BIM technologies and harmonization with international standards; creation and maintenance of a database of regional prices for material resources; a unified open data format for transferring an information model of an object at different stages of design, construction, and operation into various software products; mandatory regulatory and financial support from the state.
Broadening the perspective on technology and stakeholders within the construction sector, this study aims to uncover the trajectories of BIM’s technological progression, alongside the interconnected industries and knowledge networks. Information in Derwent Innovation’s patent database originates from the United States Patent Database (USPTO). Initially, 1,062 patents related to BIM were gathered to form a patent citation network. The subsequent stage of expanding patent citations involved accumulating a total of 9,755 patents. The main path is composed of three streams: Stream I is used for the construction and application of 3D models, Stream II is used for the presentation of 3D images, and Stream III is used for the automatic analysis of architectural information. This study also uses edge-betweenness clustering for cluster analysis and conducts a more in-depth main path study of the specific patent clusters on the main path. These findings are: (1) Energy consumption management control, (2) 3D building modeling for design and construction, (3) Asset tracking, monitoring, and security monitoring. The development of BIM should be directed towards the integration and application of transformative information and communication technologies. Integration with innovative technologies such as the Internet of Things, big data, artificial intelligence, and 5G is an important trend.
The need for information exchange in the construction industry cannot be overemphasized.
Building Information Modelling (BIM) offers the most efficient tool for information exchange in
the construction industry for use among building professionals. The study emphasized the need for
the adoption of BIM in the Nigerian construction industry, with a view to achieving sustainable
building projects through effective collaboration among building professionals. A survey was
carried out, using 191 copies of structured questionnaire, self-administered through random
sampling technique on construction professionals in Akwa Ibom State, South-South, Nigeria; to
examine the challenges and determine the strategies to BIM adoption in the Nigerian construction
industry. The responses from the professionals were analysed using the mean score method. The
findings revealed that the professionals agreed that the most prevailing challenges are the lack of
knowledge of BIM application and its benefits, the unavailability of skilled staff, cost of purchasing
software packages, and the lack of clients’ demand for BIM in projects; the most important
strategies to BIM adoption in the Nigerian construction industry are the advanced man power
training for stakeholders and the public sector led factor. The study concludes that the Nigerian
construction industry is yet to implement BIM in its projects, despite the benefits it has to offer.
Hence, the study recommends that there is still a need for an increased awareness of the benefits of
BIM, and how it can be used particularly in the Nigerian construction industry; it also
recommends that there is need for well trained professionals who are apt in using the BIM tools,
making the BIM software packages affordable, the need for clients to begin to demand for the use
of BIM in their building projects, through appropriate legislation by the government.
Although the quality of construction workers is constantly improving, considering the natural characteristics of the construction industry, such as large scale, long cycle, complex technology, as well as the high mobility of employees, lack of safety awareness, the lag of industry management and technology level, these have not yet reached the essential improvement, which leads to the frequent occurrence of construction safety accidents. In addition, in recent years, construction projects are developing towards a higher and more complex direction, which leads to the increase of construction difficulty. Even though a lot of technical equipment, management resources and information methods have been invested to improve the safety environment of the construction site, the accident rate and casualty rate are still high. Under the background of the current era, the construction industry has become the industry with the largest total number of accidents. Mining the application effect of intelligent construction technology in construction projects, exploring the relationship between intelligent construction technology in practice and the safety performance of construction projects, is conducive to the fuller and more perfect use of intelligent construction technology in safety management practice, and improving the management mode according to the different groups and differentiated management needs involved in intelligent construction technology so as to eliminate the negative concept of construction enterprises in the safety management work, reduce the occurrence of accidents in construction projects, and achieve the purpose of improving the safety performance of construction projects.
У статті визначено, що будівельна галузь займає важливу роль в українській економіці і основним важелем її розвитку є цифровізація. Мета статті полягає у визначенні стану цифровізації будівельної галузі України, та виявленні проблем і перспектив її розвитку. В межах проведеного дослідження: визначено зміст цифровізації будівництва; розглянуто заходи підтримки її розвитку урядами провідних країн світу; досліджено найбільш перспективні цифрові технології; розглянуто концепцію BIM; проаналізовано заходи та програми підтримки розвитку BIM в країнах світу; розглянуто кроки, що здійснюються Урядом України у підтримці розвитку цифровізації, зокрема будівельної галузі; виділено виклики та перешкоди цифровізації будівельної галузі; визначено бар’єри, що стримують впровадження ВІМ в Україні та чинники, що стимулюють його.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.